Ever wonder why you get so upset listening to someone you care about, often interrupting, rather than listening? The answer may not surprise you, but the solution to becoming a better listener might just do that! And it’s not that hard…

Have you ever, and I mean, ever, said ‘no, I definitely can’t do that’ and then unbeknownst to yourself, actually did that thing?! Swim across the lake. Write that book. Get your first client. Get your 100th client. Complete that research project. Fix that thing that has been broken for-ever!?

Yes?! Then you know it’s possible. The question is how do we repeat it? How do we get past the point of saying, no, I can’t, to maybe I can, to I did it!

This seems so obvious that every time I read it, I literally want to roll my eyes. Like, hello? Yes! Why would I continue to carry things around day in and day out when I have zero ability to control it? And how can I possibly think straight about the things I CAN control when I am holding space for the things I CAN’T?

Getting to a relaxed state of mind isn’t something that easily occurs, which is why we have such a hard time accessing  it. We are literally waiting for the confirmation that now is the time to relax! 

Instead we simply need to learn how to relax during a moment that we are not currently craving it. 

Saying yes to life is about having an excitement down deep that is constantly stirring...not because you know something great IS going to happen, but because you are open to the possibility of what will happen next, and are hopeful about it being great. 

Getting honest with yourself means lowering your shoulders and acknowledging what is hard, what is frustrating, what is out of your comfort zone and then taking a good look at where you could use some support. Getting honest does not mean defeat. It does not mean failure. It is just what is true right now, in this moment. The longer we deny what is true, the longer the moment will last. 

I chose this topic today because I know that it’s relatable. Maybe even more so after a year in this pandemic, but not exclusively. We have constant commentary about wanting to just go. Somewhere. Anywhere. I mean, anywhere but here. Right?

When it comes right down to this concept of designing a purposeful, life I am clear about one thing: It is much easier to talk about the design, the how, the why and even the gratification once you arrive there...than it is to begin this transformation. 

It never seems to fail, after several hours or even days of life rolling along smoothly, happily even, out of nowhere, the clouds return.

Why does my life constantly have this way of rolling…good, then bad, then good…it makes it impossible to even enjoy the good at all!

I think it’s time we officially getting out of line. Stop working on how to survive and turn the high beams on what’s next: thriving.

It was Monday morning and I was ready to follow through with my self imposed writing goals. I felt organized and successful, knowing that while no one else was invested in my goals, I was still committed to honoring them.

As I walked my dog this morning in the bright sunshine, I was reminded of the little things that still feel normal. Like the quiet streets in my community, the birds chirping in the background, the squirrels running happily around, and the hint of summer in the distance. An unusually warm spring morning offering hope…things that are normal.